Bruch, Max 2th violinconcerto

October 7, 2009 at 9:03 AM

Most people have probably heard the famous 1th Bruch violin concerto on the radio or in the concerthallconcert or even ever played as soloist or as orchestramember. (I have 3 times as an amateur). But he wrote 3 more violinconcerto's, here the 2th:

Bruch wrote apart from the 2th, a 3th violin concerto and the Scottish fantasy for violin + orchestra. I recently heard the last piece in the concerthall. Max Bruch was annoyed during his life already that everybody always played his 1th and that the rest of his work was less appreciated.

Nevertheless it is strange that Bruch is not a forgotten composer and is still well known as composer nowadays because of 1 piece. He has not written well known (or often played) chamber music or famous symphonies, like Beethoven or Mozart.
But what do you think of his 2nd violin concerto, for instance compared to his 1th?

Hello! I had studied his first concerto and Scottish Fantasy years ago but was never really aquainted with his other concertos. A very fascinating comparison that I would love to analyze further. I just heard his 2nd right here for probably the second time in my life and enjoyed it very much. Which recording is this? :)

I think this lesser known concerto has its moments, but it's more "generic"---that is, I'd have to listen to it a lot to name it, as opposed to the "great" concertos, that you can almost walk away humming after just one listening or could identify if you heard it a second time. It has a few lines that remind me of the Scottish Fantasy...I'd rather hear it in that piece, than hidden in this piece. But thanks very much- it's great to see the violin part and hear the piece. I saw that you included the CD cover in the 1st movement--Cho-liang Lin is the soloist.

I have performed the 3rd Concerto, but never had the chance of playing the first two concerti.. Its the most beautiful lyrical, songful, dramatic and full of colorful responses, Concerti in the repertoire.

" I saw that you included the CD cover in the 1st movement--Cho-liang Lin is the soloist" This is a little bit misleading. My Youtubechannel is called HenriVieuxtemps, so when I googled "Max Bruch" on pictures I saw this cd-cover.

Of course (because everybody records these pieces and because it sells better or because nobody knows the other Bruch violinconcerto's) it is the well known Bruch1 and the well known Mendelssohn (Mendelssohn also wrote a lesser knwon violinconcerto), but also added Vieuxtemps 5th violinconcerto, I guess.

My aim is to focus attention on rare violinconcerto's by using a recording (I do not have the rights so I do not mention the performer) with the sheetmusic. People can than choose which recording they will buy of this rare violinconcerto.